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Electron—Molecule Interactions and their Applications
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Electron-Molecule Interactions and their Applications, edited by L.G. Christophorou, Volume 2, Academic Press, London, 1984, 678 pp., ISBN 0-12174402-7, E59.50. This book follows on from Volume 1 which discussed fundamental electron-molecule interactions. Volume 2, after covering electron transfer reactions and recombination, moves 9n to the gross properties of electron collisions in denser media. Chapter 1 gives a review of electron transfer reactions in a variety of collisions between neutrals and positive and negative ions. This is followed in Chapter 2 by a discussion of recombination collisions between electrons and ions which are often dissociative_ This section is concise and contains a good critical assessment of the different techniques used in the field. Starting the discussion of electron transport properties, Chapter 3 covers electron motion in gases under the influence of an applied electric field. It gives a comprehensive view of swarm techniques and a summary of the methods by which cross-sections can be derived from electron transport data. Tackling a complex and contentious subject, the next section covers the relationship between electron-molecule collision processes in the gas phase with those in the liquid phase and draws some conclusions about the important interphase region. The title of Chapter 5 (From basic research to application) is likely to arouse the interest of many applicants for funds. One could complain that the authors rather over-sell the idea that electron transport data provide the key to a whole range of problems. Nevertheless, this section would provide reassuring reading for any research student just embarking on the field and wondering about its potential applications. In the final chapter, there is a discussion of a wide variety of techniques for obtaining electron affinities. The length of Table 2, which runs to 140 pages, might indicate that the authors have not been sufficiently critical in their selection of data, but then again, very little has been left out. This book represents a comprehensive work on electron-molecule interactions. Throughout, there are good, concise descriptions of the wide variety of experimental techniques involved and these are quite readable. Most of the book, however, covers a review of data and a mine of references which would be a useful starting point for work on specific systems. The University,
J. COMER Manchester Gt. Britain
Electron-Molecule Interactions and their Applications, edited by L.G. Christophorou, Volume 2, Academic Press, London, 1984, 678 pp., ISBN 0-12174402-7, E59.50. This book follows on from Volume 1 which discussed fundamental electron-molecule interactions. Volume 2, after covering electron transfer reactions and recombination, moves 9n to the gross properties of electron collisions in denser media. Chapter 1 gives a review of electron transfer reactions in a variety of collisions between neutrals and positive and negative ions. This is followed in Chapter 2 by a discussion of recombination collisions between electrons and ions which are often dissociative_ This section is concise and contains a good critical assessment of the different techniques used in the field. Starting the discussion of electron transport properties, Chapter 3 covers electron motion in gases under the influence of an applied electric field. It gives a comprehensive view of swarm techniques and a summary of the methods by which cross-sections can be derived from electron transport data. Tackling a complex and contentious subject, the next section covers the relationship between electron-molecule collision processes in the gas phase with those in the liquid phase and draws some conclusions about the important interphase region. The title of Chapter 5 (From basic research to application) is likely to arouse the interest of many applicants for funds. One could complain that the authors rather over-sell the idea that electron transport data provide the key to a whole range of problems. Nevertheless, this section would provide reassuring reading for any research student just embarking on the field and wondering about its potential applications. In the final chapter, there is a discussion of a wide variety of techniques for obtaining electron affinities. The length of Table 2, which runs to 140 pages, might indicate that the authors have not been sufficiently critical in their selection of data, but then again, very little has been left out. This book represents a comprehensive work on electron-molecule interactions. Throughout, there are good, concise descriptions of the wide variety of experimental techniques involved and these are quite readable. Most of the book, however, covers a review of data and a mine of references which would be a useful starting point for work on specific systems. The University,
J. COMER Manchester Gt. Britain